TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: The word "documentation" -Reply From:Daphne Thompson <dwthomps -at- CAMBARSOFT -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 23 Jun 1998 16:35:16 PDT
----------
>
> On 6/23/1998 3:57 PM, Lisa Comeau (COMEAUL -at- CSA -dot- CA) wrote:
>
> >Personally, I find it incredibly annoying that the word "Kleenex" (which
> >is a *product name* ) has become a noun. How often do you actually say
> >"Excuse me, Ma'am, do you happen to have an extra facial tissue in your
> >purse?"
>
> Not to pick non-tech writing nits here or anything, but most of the
> people I know never use Kleenex as a generic noun, saying something like
> "Where can I find a tissue?" or "How did this box of tissues in my car
> get so mangled?" most of the time. I've never actually used "facial
> tissue" in casual conversation, though.
>
> I also don't tell people I'm going to "Xerox" something, preferring to
> say that I'm making a copy or, if that's not specific enough, a
> photocopy. I guess I could say "Hey, do you have a xerographic
> duplicating machine around here?", but by the time I was finished asking,
> I could have copied the item by hand.
>
> Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go get a drink from the Frigidaire.
>
> ----->Mike
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> Internet: stockman -at- jagunet -dot- com AOL: MStockman
>
>
^~~~
m
>
